The daughter of Walter Stuart (or Stewart), a physician in the household of Queen Henrietta Maria when in exile after the death of her husband, Charles I, in 1649, Frances Stuart was brought up in France and was sent to England in 1663 to become maid of honour to Catherine of Braganza, queen of Charles II. Charles became infatuated with her, and it is stated that in 1667 he was considering the possibility of obtaining a divorce in order to make her his wife. This was at a time when he feared to lose her as his mistress, since her hand was sought in marriage by Charles Stuart, duke of Richmond and Lennox.

The Duchess of Cleveland, the premier mistress who was losing her hold on the King’s affections, is reported to have led the King to Frances Stuart’s apartment at midnight when Richmond was closeted with her, and the Duke was immediately expelled from court. In March 1667 the lady eloped from Whitehall Palace with the Duke of Richmond and married him secretly in the country. The Duchess of Richmond, however, soon returned to court, where she remained for many years; and, although she was disfigured by smallpox in 1668, she retained her hold on the King’s affections.

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